30 December 2016

The girls were playing and putting on a pretend concert. Madelyn began introducing their show and said, "And if you enjoy the show there'll be refreshments after the show!"

29 December 2016

We went to the Maryland Women's Basketball game today against UConn. While we were waiting for the doors to the Xfinity Center to open:

Man in front of us in line: Who's going to win?
Madelyn: Maryland!
Man: By how much?
Madelyn: One-hundred points!

28 December 2016

Tony and I decided to go for a (second) walk this afternoon while here at Nana and Poppop's.

Tony to Madelyn: Do you want to go for a walk with us?
Madelyn, instantly: No! I want to keep playing!

27 December 2016

On the way to Nana and Poppop's we were close enough to Yorktown, VA for it to appear on the mileage signs. When Madelyn finally noticed one, she whispered, "The Battle of Yorktown. 1781."

26 December 2016

Tony took the girls to Target to return Alyson's slippers that were too small to the elves stationed there.

Alyson: Daddy, where are the elves?
Tony: They're working in the store and are dressed like the Target employees. They have red shirts and tan pants. There's one.

The entire rest of the way through the store, the girls kept pointing out Target "elves" by saying, "There's one!" every time they saw an employee.

Alyson seeing a Target employee as they were leaving: Is that a Target elf?
Tony: I don't know. It might be.
Madelyn: How will Santa get the slippers?
Tony: Don't worry. Santa and the elves will use their magic to make sure they get where they need to go.

25 December 2016

While finishing up dessert at Mom and Dad's after Christmas dinner:

Alyson: I love Christmas!
Mom: Too bad Christmas is only once a year.
Madelyn: Jesus was only born once a year!
Tony: I'm pretty sure Jesus was only born once.
Madelyn: I mean we only celebrate his birth once a year!

24 December 2016

Admittedly, we usually leave Mass at Communion because Alyson just can't stay quiet for much longer. There are times we stay until the end of Mass like Christmas Eve and Easter. After we got back to the pew after Communion today, Madelyn whispered to me, "Are we going to leave? I thought was is over." Oops.

23 December 2016

We made sugar cookies today and one snowman's head broke off when I was checking if they were done.

Me: We'll have to make an icing scarf on one of the snowmen. I accidentally broke off his head.
Madelyn: The icing will hold his head on. "I'm Nearly Headless Nick Snowman!"

22 December 2016

The girls were playing while waiting for Santa to come around on the firetruck. Suddenly, we heard Madelyn yell, "We're going to have so much fun down here that we're going to blow our mind with fun!"

21 December 2016

Tony and I finished wrapping presents for the girls today and put them out by the tree. A good chunk of them are in a pile right by the front door.

Madelyn, the instant she walked in the door: Who are all of these for?
Tony: They have tags on them.
Madelyn, as she read the tags: Aly. Me. Me. Aly. They're for us!

20 December 2016

Since the moment she got home this afternoon, Madelyn was acting like a brat.

Me: If you keep acting like a brat, you're going to have to clean the house.
Madelyn: I'm not cleaning it by myself! I'm going to get Aly to help me.
Me: Nope, only those acting like brats are going to have to clean the house. If she isn't acting like a brat, she doesn't have to help you.
Madelyn: Then I'm going to tell her to act like a brat!
Me: If you do that, you're really in trouble.

19 December 2016

The girls were making some potpourri this afternoon. Madelyn was so confused about what it is called and asked me, "What is this again? Pastastory?"

18 December 2016

The gingerbread house the girls and I decorated today was a Starbucks Cafe. We also had some Santa decorations to add to it. Madelyn created an entire storyline, "It's the North Pole Starbucks. Santa is walking through the drive-thru because he parked his sleigh on the roof with the reindeer. He needs to get his coffee before he leaves so that she stays awake on his long trip around the world on Christmas Eve."

17 December 2016

We were listening to the Pentatonix Christmas album in the car. The song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" came on, and Madelyn informed us, "I've heard the version of this version of this song." Huh?

16 December 2016

Tony was playing Super Mario Run on his phone and Madelyn was watching. While he was racing in a Toad Rally, Madelyn got really excited and said, "Wow! You're really far ahead of that person!" Then, a few seconds later, "You're still really far ahead of that person!"

15 December 2016

For the first time, Madelyn was the kid in the audience with us and not the one on the stage performing. She was excited to see Alyson's preschool Christmas program, but throughout the entire thing, she repeatedly asked, "Is it time for the refreshments yet?"

14 December 2016

While I was fixing dinner, I had the girls help me out by stuffing Christmas cards.

Madelyn, to Alyson: We're elves!
Alyson: Why?
Madelyn: We're helping Santa-Mommy with Christmas!

Madelyn went on and on about being elves and helping "Santa-Mommy". Eventually, Alyson got annoyed.

Alyson: Why do you keep calling her "Santa-Mommy"? She isn't Santa!

13 December 2016

During dinner we were talking about the years everyone in our family was born. 

Madelyn, to Tony and me: What year were you born in?
Me, muffled by a noise: 1982.
Madelyn, trying to clarify: What year were you guys born in? 1882?

12 December 2016

Our family was invited to a special breakfast for our city's parks and recreation department since we completed our 2016 family challenge of visiting all 65 parks in our city. When I told Madelyn this afternoon, her jaw dropped, she gasped, fell over backward on the couch, and yelled, "Really?!?!?!" I wonder how she would react if we did something to really become famous.

11 December 2016

We had homemade pizza for dinner tonight. Tony was drinking a Sodastream soda that was pretty light colored. Alyson was talking about what each person was drinking. Madelyn observed, "Daddy has soda, but not very thick soda."

10 December 2016

Before bed, Madelyn and I were talking about the day and her pottery painting party at Color Me Mine.

Me: What was your favorite part of your party?
Madelyn: I had to favorite parts: painting pottery and the cake.

Me: Well, I'm glad since that basically was your party.

09 December 2016

First

Madelyn colored me a picture today at school. When she gave it to me, she made sure to inform me without any prompting, "It's not unfinished. The face is white. It's supposed to be that way."

Second

When Madelyn was going to bed around 7pm:

Me: Good night. I love you, and happy birthday again!

Madelyn: My birthday is over before I really turn seven!

Me: True.

Madelyn: How much longer until I turn seven?

Me, looking at my watch: A little less than 5 hours.

Madelyn: That's because I was born really late at night.

(She was born at 11:58pm.)

08 December 2016

When Madelyn left for the bus stop this morning:
Mom: This is the last time I'll see you as a six-year-old!
Madelyn, after she walked away a few steps: I'll still be six tomorrow morning because I wasn't born until late at night!

07 December 2016

After basketball practice this evening, Madelyn and I went to the grocery store. On the way there I was listing items we needed.

Me: We might not get the celery depending on what they have. Daddy can get milk tomorrow if we don't want to get it.
Madelyn: So we need 9 or 8 or 7 things.

Honestly, her counting helped because we almost forgot something before we went through the list and counted to figure it out.

06 December 2016

We had a joint birthday dinner tonight for Mom and Madelyn. After we were done with cake, there was about two-thirds of it left. Madelyn looked at her grandma and asked completely seriously, "You're sharing what's left, right?"

05 December 2016

Apparently, I'm not allowed to play pretend.

The girls have a Hallie (from Doc McStuffins) figurine that lost an ear. Somehow they found the ear, so I glued it on and held it with some tape while it dried.

Madelyn: Why is that paper on Hallie's ear?
Me: It's tape to hold it in place while the ear dries. It's like a cast that will come off after the ear heals.

Madelyn just looked at me like I was crazy.

04 December 2016

During story time tonight, Madelyn was confused by some words in italics. She asked Tony, "Why does it look like The Dawn Treader has been reading really fast?"

03 December 2016

Madelyn had a dress-up birthday party to go to today that she wore a fancy dress to. After she got home, she didn't want to change. Before dinner (spaghetti and meatballs), I suggested that she change multiple times. She didn't want to. As we sat down for dinner, she reached over her plate to grab her napkin and managed to get spaghetti sauce on her arm. Luckily, it was a sleeveless dress and she had taken off her sweater. She then wore a painting smock for the rest of dinner.

01 December 2016

Tony and I chaperoned Madelyn's field trip today to a local children's theater to see "Beauty and the Beast". We were sitting in the row behind Madelyn. When the music started, Tony and I "caught" Madelyn playing air piano along with it. That's our little music geek.

30 November 2016

The girls were taking turns climbing into the giant box that came today. As Madelyn was climbing out and Alyson was climbing in, Madelyn yelled, "It's time to ship an Alyson package!"

29 November 2016

While the girls and I were wrapping their Christmas gifts for Tony, Madelyn kept looking at one of them.

Me: Are you going to stop looking at this long enough for us to wrap it?
Madelyn, reluctantly: Yeah, we'll it.
Me: You're going to ask him if you can look at it more than he'll be able to look at it, aren't you?
Madelyn: Um, yeah, probably.

28 November 2016

After school today, the girls and I had been planning to wrap their Christmas gifts for Tony before he got home from work. Tony came home early today to work on the outside Christmas lights and was home before anyone else.

Madelyn, after she got home from school: Let's wrap Daddy's gifts!
Me: We'll do that tomorrow.
Madelyn, disappointed: Why?
Me: Is Daddy at work?
Madelyn: Oh, no.
Me: He's on the roof, but let's not risk him coming in on us wrapping.
Madelyn: Yeah, let's play it safe.

27 November 2016

Today I set Madelyn up with her own Charity Miles account on my old phone. The phone still has my old lock code, so she can't unlock the phone herself. She took the phone, put it in her back pocket, put on her Hogwarts Running Club Ravenclaw visor, and walked round and round the house for about a minute. 

Madelyn: Can I see how many miles I've done?
Me, unlocking the phone: 0.07 miles.
Madelyn: That's it!

26 November 2016

The girls decorated their own tree today. I gave them new small ornaments of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, three angels, and the Three Wise Men. When Madelyn took Mary, Joseph, and Jesus to hang up, she said, "They have to stay together because they're a family." They were all hung right next to each other on the tree.

25 November 2016

While decorating the tree, Madelyn found out that she is a witch!

24 November 2016

While over at Grandma and Grandpa's today for Thanksgiving, Madelyn was playing restaurant. She gave Grandpa some food.

Grandpa, teasing: This tastes like cardboard!
Madelyn: That's because it is!

23 November 2016

I was at Madelyn's school today to help out with a party her class was having. I had asked Madelyn before school if she wanted to walk home. She said yes, so we did. On the walk home:

Madelyn, about 0.2 miles into the 1 mile walk: Are we almost home?
Me: No, we just started!
Madelyn: I know, but I'm tired and hoped we were almost home.

22 November 2016

I'll be at Madelyn's school tomorrow for a class party, which she knows about. 

Madelyn, to Tony: Will I be staying home with you tomorrow for the half day?
Me, confused: What are you asking?
Madelyn: Daddy will be home, so he'll get me at the bus stop, right?
Tony: No, who's going to be at school to get you?
Madelyn: Grandpa?
Me: No. What are you having tomorrow at school that I'm helping with?
Madelyn: Oh yeah, our Fun Run party!

21 November 2016

Alyson and I went to Target to pick up a birthday present for her friend and a case for my new phone. When Madelyn got home from her CCD class:

Madelyn: Did you get a new case?
Me, showing her: Yup.
Madelyn, excited: Oooh! Polka dots! Daddy, is your case going to have polka dots?

20 November 2016

While Madelyn and I were finalizing the details of her birthday party at Color Me Mine, she noticed the chalkboard pant on the wall where they write "Happy birthday, [name]!" for the party. She had already picked all of her colors (by numbers) for her signature paint. She chose #41, a purple, for most of her colors.

Madelyn: Will that be changed to say my name?
Employee: Yup. I'll write that the day of your party.
Madelyn: Can I pick the color?
Employee: Sure.
Madelyn: 41!
Me, laughing: It isn't paint. It's just chalk, so just pick a color name.
Madelyn: Oh! Purple!

19 November 2016

Typical interaction between them while in the car on the way home from seeing Santa today:

Alyson, yelling: Ow!

Tony: What are you guys doing back there?

Madelyn, sounding guilty: Playing!

Tony: Why does playing sound like it involves hurting Alyson?

Alyson: Madelyn didn't hurt me. I hurted myself.

18 November 2016

Awkward phrasing?
Me: Do you know what you want to get Aly for Christmas?
Madelyn, after thinking: Know and don't know.
Me: What?
Madelyn: I have ideas, but I don't actually know yet.

17 November 2016

Madelyn was showing me a picture she drew of a turkey with a green face and said, "It's not sick. That's just the color I decided to make it."

16 November 2016

Before bed:

Me: You won't have piano tomorrow. It's going to be Friday instead.
Madelyn: Why?
Me: Because your teacher won't have her car.
Madelyn: Why?
Me: Because she has to get it repaired.
Madelyn: Why?
Me: Because the manufacturer says there is something wrong with it that needs to be fixed.
Madelyn, unexpectedly and proud of herself: Okay. I kept saying "Why?" and you kept answering me until I said "Okay."

15 November 2016

This morning, the girls were fighting over whose hair I was going to do. 

Me, teasing: Sounds like we need a death match. Battle it out, and I'll do the winner's hair.
Madelyn: So, pretend to be dead?

14 November 2016

While talking about our days during dinner:

Me: [Alyson's teacher] said that the entire class was tired and out of it today.
Madelyn: Why did she say that the entire class was tired and out of it?
Me: Because the class was tired and out of it.
Madelyn: No, why were they tired and out of it?
Me: There's the better question.

13 November 2016

During dinner, Madelyn randomly observed, "What if there was a high school called Five High? It would be the opposite of high five!"

12 November 2016

During her piano lesson today:

Teacher: The notes in the spaces on the bass clef are A-C-E-G: All cows eat grass. Well, I'm pretty sure they do.
Madelyn, with absolute certainty: Yes, yes they do. All cows eat grass.

11 November 2016

Madelyn peaked at what I was looking at on my computer. After looking, she exclaimed, "Whoa! That's so cool! What the heck is that?"

10 November 2016

Multiple times today, Madelyn and Alyson got into arguments. For the most part, neither of them did anything wrong, they just disagreed on something. The one who was mad would announce being mad and storm off to another room, such as the play room, and shut the door. She would stay there for a while playing or doing whatever else by herself. Finally, she would come out and act like nothing happened. At least it was quiet!

09 November 2016

I'm actually glad she didn't really care.

Me: Trump won the election.
Madelyn: So, Hilary came in second?
Me: Yeah.
Madelyn, seeing something hanging on a doorknob: Hey! What's that orange string over there?

08 November 2016

Madelyn didn't have school today or yesterday. Before bed:
Me: Are you ready to go back to school tomorrow?
Madelyn: YEAH!

07 November 2016

Madelyn was looking at the LEGO Winter catalog. I'm not sure if she realized it was a LEGO catalog and not an ad for another store because she excitedly told me, "They have all of the LEGOs in one place!"

06 November 2016

After getting home from Grandma and Grandpa's:

Alyson: When are we going to have a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's again?
Tony: For Grandma's and Grandpa's sanity, not for a while.
Madelyn: What's a sanity?

05 November 2016

Last year, Madelyn played basketball. It took her all soccer season to have this epiphany:

Me: Do you remember in basketball how your coach told you to get open and get to the basket? Do the same thing for soccer. [Note, they don't follow all of the rules for soccer at this age.] 
Madelyn: But this is soccer, not basketball.
Me: In basketball, you dribble the ball with your hands and try to get the ball in the basket. For soccer, you dribble the ball with your foot and try to get the ball in the goal. They're practically the same thing.
Madelyn: You're right!

The next time she was playing, she got open, received a pass, and almost scored. One of her teammates finished off the play and scored.

04 November 2016

Me: What's part of the Declaration of Independence?
Madelyn: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
Tony: Who wrote it?
Madelyn, thinking: Thomas Jefferson!
Me: Yup! You're learning U.S. history through something fun like "Hamilton".
Madelyn, excited: Really! When we really learn it in school, my teacher is going to be so surprised!

03 November 2016

During her piano lesson today, Madelyn started to compose her own song. She was so excited to play it for Tony when he got home. The second he walked in the door, she said, "Daddy! Listen to what I did!" and started to play before he could even put down anything he was holding.

02 November 2016

Kids these days definitely play some interesting games. While getting ready for bed, Madelyn told me, "We were playing teenagers at recess, and I was 29 just like [boy in class], and I had enough money to buy a mansion!" Poor kid is in for a rude awakening.

01 November 2016

While walking from the car to soccer practice, we passed a tree that had good low climbing branches but quickly went to lots of thin, unclimbable branches.

Madelyn: I want to climb that tree!
Me: You wouldn't be able to get very high. You're too heavy for the little branches. They'll break.
Madelyn: If I went on enough of them them they wouldn't break.
Me: You would need a lot more branches than that tree has.

31 October 2016

Madelyn was dressed as Hermione today for Halloween. While we were out trick-or-treating, she was playing the part pretty well. She would flick her wand and say "Lumos!" for me to turn on the light I had with us. The, she would say "Nox!" for me to turn it off. One older woman played along and treated it like the coolest thing she had ever seen. It was great!

30 October 2016

While eating dinner at a party today:

Madelyn put some food into her mouth and mumbled something indecipherable that sounded a little like "mmmm".

Me: What?

She pointed to the different things on her plate and mumbled again.

Tony: Use your words.
Madelyn, after swallowing her food: It's all so yummy!

(Points for not talking with food in her mouth!)

29 October 2016

We don't usually let the girls have Luncheables. In fact, I don't think they ever have had one. For lunch today, that was an easy option of something they could eat in the car. 

Me: Daddy and Alyson are going to go to the grocery store while we're at soccer. They're going to pick up stuff for lunch in the car. How about a Luncheable? Do you want ham or turkey?
Madelyn, excited: I've always wanted a Luncheable!

28 October 2016

Madelyn was looking at the Target toy catalogue and working on her Christmas list. She saw some Paw Patrol toys and told me, "Mommy, I don't think I'm outgrowing Paw Patrol because it says here that it's ages 3 and up."

27 October 2016

During Madelyn's piano lesson today, she played her teacher a few songs she had written herself. That led to a discussion about composers. Before dinner:

Me: If you keep up with music, some day you could be a composer and write a musical like "Hamilton"?
Madelyn, excited: Really?!?!?!?
Tony: Yup, and we can go to a music store and buy you music books for simplified music from musicals.
Madelyn: Oh, yay! There are lots of songs I want to learn how to play!

26 October 2016

Madelyn is very excited about Halloween. Her school is doing their parties and parade on Friday instead of on Halloween.

Before taking a shower tonight:

Madelyn: We'll need to make my hair poofy!
Tony: That isn't until Friday.
Madelyn: I know! I'm just reminding you!

25 October 2016

One of the ongoing themes in "Hamilton" is that Alexander Hamilton felt that he had to make a name for himself. 

Madelyn: Why did Hamilton have to name himself?
Me: What do you mean?
Madelyn: Didn't he already have a name? Why did he need to make one?

I then explained what the phrase meant.

24 October 2016

Madelyn has a taste of some (smoothly blended) butternut squash soup that I made last night. She almost instantly made the face she makes when she doesn't like what she is eating.

Me: You don't like it, do you?
Madelyn: No.
Me: That's okay. What don't you like about it?
Madelyn, thinking: I don't like it because it's...too mushy.

23 October 2016

Madelyn: When can I have a cell phone?
Me: When Daddy and I think you're responsible enough to have one, and that will be when you're older.

Later, when Madelyn was saying good night to Tony, she randomly told him, "Mommy says I can have a phone when I'm responsible enough for it, which won't be for a while."

22 October 2016

We had been listening to parts of the "Hamilton" soundtrack this afternoon. One of the conflicts in the musical is that Alexander Hamilton had an affair and his wife found out. We didn't listen to any songs regarding this. During dinner:

Madelyn: Was Hamilton good or bad?
Me: He was mostly good, but even good people do bad things sometimes.
Madelyn: What did he do?
Me, thinking: He made bad decisions.
Madelyn: Like what?
Tony: He hurt his wife's feelings.
Madelyn: How?
Me: He lied about being friends with someone he shouldn't have been.
Madelyn: Why couldn't they be friends?
Me: It's more important that he lied.
Madelyn: But why couldn't they be friends.
Tony: For now, just believe us or we'll give away too much of the story.
Madelyn: Okay, fine.

21 October 2016

I was asking Madelyn about some details for her birthday to try to be able to book it. The place she wants to do works with Ben & Jerry's for ice cream cakes.

Me: Do you want a Ben & Jerry's ice cream cake for your party?
Madelyn, confused: Huh? What's Ben & Jerry's?

20 October 2016

After school, Madelyn started telling me all about a ninja story she had written in school. It was the most complicated and detailed thing I had heard. There were two ninja kids (brother and sister) who attended ninja school in the Philippines. They used ninja stars for their weapons, but had to wear special suits so that the stars didn't hurt them. In the story, they were battling a lightning storm in Alaska where it was raining lightning instead of water. After she finished telling me all about it:

Me: That was a very detailed story.
Madelyn: Yeah, [teacher] had me present it to my class today, but I left out a lot of the details because I thought it might be too much.

19 October 2016

Alyson was play whining to Madelyn. Madelyn must have heard someone say this before because she said to Alyson, "Do we need to get that crib back? Because right now you're acting like a baby."

18 October 2016

Madelyn was the first one to soccer practice this evening. She was kicking the soccer ball around with her couches as I told on of them about my marathon time since we had talked about running before. Madelyn ran around kicking the ball and excitedly yelled to them, "I'M GOING TO RUN TWO 5K'S NEXT YEAR!!!"

17 October 2016

During dinner we were talking about possible races next year for ourselves and the girls. After I listed off eight possible races I could do, Madelyn urged, "Eight races? DO IT!"

16 October 2016

Multiple times today, Madelyn said some variation on the following:

"Mommy, you want to go run another marathon right now! Daddy, you want to go run a mile and then a marathon!"

Each time she changed the distances and tried to make it sound as bad (and sarcastic) as she could.

15 October 2016

During dinner at Mom and Dad's:

Mom: We had strawberry Jell-O for dessert last night.
Me to Madelyn: With bananas and Cool Whip and a cherry?
Madelyn, looking at me like she can't believe I knew: Yeah!
Me: See, I'm psychic.
Madelyn: Or you have text messages with Grandma.

14 October 2016

I went to Madelyn's school today to help with their Fun Run kick-off assemblies. When Madelyn's class came in, her teacher pulled me aside slightly and told me that Madelyn has been so excited all day because she would get to see me. When we left the girls at Mom and Dad's this afternoon before heading to our marathon, I was telling them about this. Madelyn piped up with, "Well, it's true!"

13 October 2016

Madelyn drew a picture of a ninja, but spelled in "ninga".

Me: Great picture! Just so you know, though, you spelled ninja wrong. You're really close, though. It's n-i-n-j-a, not n-i-n-g-a. At least you had a similar letter and not "ninpa" or something silly like that.
Madelyn: I could have spelled it n-i-n-p-i-e and then it would have been "nin-pie"!

12 October 2016

After her bath tonight, I was braiding Madelyn's wet hair to see how poofy it will be when dry and if that will work for her Halloween costume. While I was braiding it into many little braids, she asked me, "What if you use all of my hair in the braids?" Isn't that the point?

11 October 2016

We often have interesting dinner conversation.

Alyson: How do you die?
Me, not sure how to answer: What do you mean?
Alyson: How do you die?
Me: Do you how your body stops living or what can make you die?
Madelyn: Or do you mean how do you dye something to add color like when people color their hair and not passing away?
Alyson: Yeah! How to add color! How do you dye?
Madelyn: Okay, you can dip things in colored water.
Alyson: Okay!

Only sisters understand each other this way.

10 October 2016

Today was Open House at Madelyn's school. I had told her that I didn't think I would be able to come. As I walked into her classroom, she almost jumped off of the rug (the teacher was reading them a story) as she yelled, "Hi, Mommy!" She then spent the entire story time trying not to bounce in excitement.

09 October 2016

Alyson is going through a phase of asking how big is God. She asked again during breakfast this morning. Madelyn had a good answer.

Alyson, holding her hands out: Is God bigger than this?
Me: Yes.
Madelyn: Is God bigger than a tree?
Me, to Madelyn: God is bigger than anything you can understand.
Madelyn: So, God is infinity and beyond big!

08 October 2016

Before bed, Madelyn was reading me part of a story. She had problems with a word.

Madelyn, stuttering: Rev-eng-G. Rev-veng. Rev-eng.
Me: Let me see which word. [She points.] Revenge.
Madelyn: Oh! Revenge!

Honestly, "revenge" is a tricky word.

07 October 2016

On our way out for a walk this evening, Madelyn said to Alyson, "Let's play beach walk! While we're outside we'll pretend we're walking along the shore." That lasted all of two seconds before they both started running.

06 October 2016

Madelyn: When are you going to give me money so that I can buy my books at the Book Fair?
Me: Daddy will be there volunteering on Monday.
Madelyn: But, when can I buy my books? [Teacher] said we need to have our parents give us money and bring in our wish lists.
Me: Yes, but Daddy will be there on Monday with your list and money. He'll get your books for you.
Madelyn: Ohhhh....

05 October 2016

On the way home from the bus stop this afternoon:

Madelyn: Can I play the iPad when we get home?
Me: How about if we go outside for a little bit, and then you can play while I fix dinner?
Madelyn: Okay! [She started singing about nature.]

When I was going inside to fix dinner:

Me: I'm going inside to fix dinner. You can stay outside to play, but you need to stay in the front yard.
Madelyn: But you said we could have screen time!
Me: Okay, come inside.
Madelyn: Yay! Screen time! Screen time!

04 October 2016

At the end of soccer practice today, another mom made a comment that pretty soon it'll be dark before their practice ends. In the car on the way home:

Madelyn: Why did another mom say that it'll be dark before practice ends?
Me: Because it is getting darker earlier every day.
Madelyn: But, I don't want it to be dark during practice! How will we see?!?!

03 October 2016

Before dinner, the girls were playing with Playdoh. Madelyn had made a boy by attaching Playdoh body parts to the toy rolling pin in the set. When it was time to clean up, she sing-songed, "I'm taking apart my little man. Bye bye, Little Man!"

02 October 2016

We had some California Rolls with dinner tonight. It had bright orange roe on it.

Madelyn: What is the orange stuff?
Me, not wanting to lie, but not wanting to give too many details: Roe. It doesn't taste like much of anything.
Madelyn: It looks like sprinkles!

01 October 2016

Madelyn wanted me to come upstairs to see the "Halloween Village" party decorations they put up and attend their party. Obviously, since it's now October, it's Halloween party time. 

Me: Okay, but I need to come back downstairs in ten minutes for the race announcement on Facebook in case people have questions.
Madelyn: You can be at the party on your phone if you need to. I didn't make any rules about electronics.

I was able to participate without being on my phone at all, thank you very much.

30 September 2016

While we were at Target today we went into the Halloween section to see about Alyson's Halloween costume. Madelyn had previously decided on being Hermione, and we already had everything at home.

Madelyn, as soon as she saw the DC Superhero Girls costumes: I don't want to be Hermione anymore! I want to be Wonder Woman!
Me, looking at the costumes: But you already decided. This isn't a very good quality costume anyway.
Madelyn: But I really want to be Wonder Woman!
Me, continuing to look through the costumes and only seeing small and large: They don't have your size anyway. And, this material is so thin and wouldn't look right with something under it, but you'll have to wear something under it. You would be so much more comfortable as Hermione because you can wear your own clothes and just wear the Hogwarts robes over it.
Madelyn, after we walked around a little more, she thought about it, and obviously thought of this on her own: I don't want to be Wonder Woman anymore. I would be so much more comfortable as Hermione because I can wear my own clothes.

29 September 2016

Madelyn's homework involved matching words to spaced that match the height of the letters. For example, "look" would fit in a tall rectangle, a short square, a short square, and a tall rectangle.

Madelyn: I need help with my homework! I'm confused!
Me: Okay, bring it here. What don't you understand?
Madelyn: I'm on the last one and the only word left doesn't fit.
Me, looking at three short squares and a tall rectangle with the last word "and": Huh, you're right. Go ahead and put "and" in the spaces and write a note about it to your teacher.
Madelyn: Okay!

Her note ('And is the only word left and it would fit if this emty space is't thar."):

28 September 2016

Before bed, Madelyn was talking about how you don't really hear anything or see anything or have any idea about what is going on when you are asleep: "I feel like when you go to sleep it's like a time turner because you suddenly wake up and all this time is gone."

27 September 2016

On the way home from soccer practice, Madelyn announced, "I really like soccer! I want to keep playing until I'm in high school, no COLLEGE!"

26 September 2016

Madelyn was trying to do push-ups, but had her form all wrong. First her butt was too low, and then it was too high. She did one push-up correctly and dramatically plopped down.

Madelyn, letting out an exasperated and exhausted sigh: That was so hard!
Me: It wouldn't be so hard if you really tried. You didn't give it a fair try.
Madelyn, realizing she had been caught: Okay, true.

25 September 2016

I was looking at the weather for the week when Madelyn was picking out her clothes for tomorrow.

Me: It's supposed to rain Monday into Tuesday, but it should be fine for soccer practice.
Madelyn: Good because I don't want to miss practice!
Me: Which do you like better, soccer or basketball?
Madelyn, holding her thumb and index finger together almost touching to show "a little bit": I like soccer ball... Oops! I mean basketball, just this much better than soccer.

24 September 2016

While on the way home from Julie's this evening, we were having a conversation in the car when Madelyn asked a completely random question.

Tony, while I was answering the question: Squirrel!
Madelyn: Where?
Tony: Up!
Madelyn: Where? What are you talking about?
Tony: Up!
Madelyn, frustrated: Uuuuugggghhhh!!!!

23 September 2016

Questions from the six-year-old:

Madelyn: Who were the first humans?
Me, hesitating a little because I wasn't sure what she was getting at: Well, we don't really know that because it was so long ago.

Madelyn: No, Adam and Eve.

Me: Okay, yeah. But really because of evolution and how animals and things change over a long, long time, we don't really know who the first humans were. The Bible is a story that symbolizes how God made everything.

Madelyn: How does God make each person?

Me: .....

22 September 2016

When the girls were getting ready for bed tonight, I was discussing with Tony some options for when I can get my 20-mile long run in this weekend. Madelyn came in and incredulously asked, "Didn't you already run 20 miles?" Well, yes, but that was two weeks ago.

19 September 2016

While listening to "One Short Day" from the "Wicked" soundtrack, Madelyn asked Tony, "I wonder what Lupin is doing in Oz because I heard them say 'Moony.'" Tony went back and listened again later and realized that she misheard the lyric "... has all of Oz honeymooning" and confused her fandoms.

18 September 2016

While Alyson was in her sports class, Tony and Madelyn were at the playground. They left there and walked to a nearby Starbucks. It started sprinkling as they were walking, but stopped when they got to Starbucks. It didn't rain the entire time they were outside, but started up again as soon as they left to walk back to the park.

Tony: The rain just wants to rain on us.
Madelyn: Huh? So the rain just wants to rain on people.
Tony: No because their were people outside while we were in Starbucks and it didn't rain on them. It waited to rain until we came back out.
Madelyn, thinking and unable to find a problem with Tony's logic: Oh, okay.

17 September 2016

We rode bikes today around our city to visit some parks. We have a bike "trailer" for Madelyn that attaches to the back of a bike to make it like a tandem bike. Tony and Madelyn were riding down a hill at a good pace, but not especially fast.

Madelyn: This is really fast!
Tony: No this isn't really fast.
Madelyn: What?!

16 September 2016

Dinner conversation is always the most fun version of random possible.

Madelyn: Do you stay up until midnight every night? You're always up later than us.
Me: Um, no. Some nights, like last night, it's midnight, but I try to get to bed by eleven.
Madelyn: Why?
Me: Because adults need sleep, too.

15 September 2016

Madelyn telling me what they played in P.E. today:

Madelyn: We played cars!
Me: Um, okay....
Madelyn: We practiced running around with a ring we used to steer. We also learned about boundary lines.
Me: You learned about lines you aren't supposed to cross?
Madelyn: No, we learned about boundaries.
Me: So, you learned about lines you aren't supposed to cross.
Madelyn, thinking: Oh, yeah!

14 September 2016

What first grader does this?

Madelyn: Do we have any extra calendars we aren't using?
Me: I'm not sure. Why?
Madelyn: So that I can write down my homework and important days and things I need to remember.
Me: Do you want a student planner?
Madelyn: YEAH!

13 September 2016

Our 6-year-old, the rule follower:

Tony was looking at Madelyn's math packet for homework this week. There is a page for her to do every night, but I told Madelyn earlier that she could do all of it and get it over with if she wanted.

Tony: Why did you only do the one page?
Madelyn: We're only supposed to do one page every night.
Tony: Well, do you know how to do the other pages? Did you have time to do them?
Madelyn: Yes, but [teacher] said to do one page every night not all of it!

12 September 2016

Screen time at Grandma's on days off always messes up Madelyn's plans for after getting home. When we got home today, she said, "I wish I could play iPad, but I played a lot of Wii today!"

11 September 2016

On the way into DC today, we saw a flag at half mast. We started explaining what that meant and why a flag would be at half mast to Madelyn. Her very matter-of-fact response, "Well, that's some new information."

10 September 2016

Growing up and having responsibilities is hard.

Madelyn: I don't know what to do.
Tony: Is the playroom cleaned up?
Madelyn: I cleaned it so it's not taking up the WHOLE floor.
Tony: So... no, it's not cleaned up. There's something you can do.

Madelyn, frustrated that Tony didn't come up with something fun to do, stomped off to the playroom.

09 September 2016

As we were sitting down to dinner of leftover tacos, Madelyn looked at my plate with salsa on the taco and said, "Mommy has a spicy tooth."

08 September 2016

While Madelyn was picking raspberries in the garden this evening, she kept informing me of her progress: "I've picked so many raspberries! We're going to have raspberries for weeks! [looking into the container] I've picked nine raspberries!"

07 September 2016

While Alyson was getting into her pajamas this evening, Madelyn came into Alyson's room, and said very seriously, "I need to ask Aly a question. Aly, how was preschool today?" Alyson didn't really answer her other than, "Good!"

06 September 2016

We had hard tacos for dinner tonight. It was actually the first time the girls had hard tacos, and it was amusing trying to teach them how to eat it. After dinner, I was telling Madelyn that we would have leftovers on Thursday as soft tacos instead because we were out of the crunchy shells. She was fine with this as she told me, "I think soft tacos will be better because they will be less breakier."

05 September 2016

After I got home from my run this morning, Madelyn informed me, "Everyone needs to complete one cleaning chore. And, then, we can have a Labor Day party with games and crafts and fun activities. There can be different activities for the kids and adults. What is your chore going to be?" All of us cleaned the upstairs bathrooms and vacuumed with Madelyn being the slowest and least enthusiastic of everyone about actually doing it.

04 September 2016

At the Renaissance Festival today, we let the girls get toy shields. Madelyn had also been eyeing some swords and told us, "I really want a sword, but I don't want to kill Aly!"

03 September 2016

After climbing a tree at one of the parks we visited today, Madelyn exclaimed, "I want to climb more trees! I want to be a monkey! I don't need a playground. Nature is my playground!"

02 September 2016

This morning before leaving for school, Madelyn walked out of the playroom with a small flashlight hanging on a toy cell phone. She said to Tony, "Just like you guy's phones have flashlights on them, mine has a flashlight on it, too! But, mine is an actual flashlight hanging on the phone."

01 September 2016

Before bed, I gave Madelyn an update about tomorrow.

Me: Daddy is staying home from work tomorrow, so he'll make sure you get to the bus.
Madelyn: Why is he staying home?
Me: Because he wanted to.
Madelyn: Why?
Me: Why not?
Madelyn: Why why not?

31 August 2016

Madelyn had been home for a while when I noticed that her lunchbox was still sitting on the dining room table.

Me: Madelyn, you need to put your lunch containers in the sink.
Madelyn: Why?
Me: Because that's one of your jobs for when you get home from school. You want to be a big kid and being a big kid means more responsibilities.
Madelyn: But what if there are other fun things I want to do first when I get home?!?!

Nope, sorry, kiddo. It doesn't work that way.

30 August 2016

While I was in the bathroom after we got back from the bus stop this afternoon, there was a knock on the bathroom door.

Me: Yes?
Madelyn: I have this important paper from school that you need to fill out and send back.
Me: Okay. I'll look at it when I'm out.

As I was washing my hands, and blue paper come sliding under the door.

Me: Um, excuse me? Didn't I just say I will look when I get it out? I'm not looking at it on the bathroom floor.

Madelyn opened the door enough to grab the paper and go.

Me, after I was out of the bathroom: Okay, where's the paper?
Madelyn, handing it to me: Here.
Me: It's just for after school activities. You're not doing them.
Madelyn: Good because the only one I could do is the craft one and I don't wand to do that.

29 August 2016

Madelyn brought home her pin number for buying lunch at school today, and I quizzed her on it randomly throughout the evening. She knew it pretty well.

Me: Your pin makes a pattern. It should be easy to remember!
Madelyn: The only way it would be easier is if it was "1111"!

28 August 2016

Madelyn seems to have the seafood section of the grocery store confused with an aquarium. When we got there, she noticed the lobster tank was empty and was confused, "The lobsters are gone! Where did all of the lobsters go?"

27 August 2016

Madelyn owed me some money for something I bought her. We were getting the money from her piggy bank.

Madelyn: I want to give Aly $10.
Me: Why?
Madelyn: Um, because she's my sister!

26 August 2016

I was texting Mom to update her on some changes in our plans for the day. Next thing I know, she says that the girls want to talk to me and that they were going to call.

Me, answering the phone: Hello?
Madelyn: Hi, Mommy.
Me: Hi!
Madelyn: Happy Anniversary!
Me: Thanks! What are you up to?
Madelyn: ....
Me: Madelyn, what are you doing?
Madelyn: Huh? Watching TV.
Me: Watching TV? Okay. What are you doing today?
Madelyn: ....

25 August 2016

While we were waiting for her dentist appointment, Madelyn randomly said to me, "Guess what! I played basketball at Grandma's yesterday, and believe me, I was pretty good!" Turns out she was talking about Wii Sports Resort basketball, but she was so serious and proud of herself.

24 August 2016

When I got to Mom and Dad's to pick up the girls, they were dressed up and having a Halloween party. Madelyn was wearing a super hero cape and a mask. Alyson was wearing a tutu.

Madelyn: Do you recognize who I am? Did you know it's me? What about her?
Alyson: Yeah, do you know who I am?

Um, yes, kiddos.

23 August 2016

During dinner tonight:

Madelyn: Alyson, would you please pass me the tomatoes?
Alyson, passing the bowl of tomatoes: Here you go.
Madelyn: Thank you, Alyson. We're having a polite dinner tonight! Asking nicely for things to be passed is polite, right? And saying please and thank you. And not talking with food in your mouth. And asking to be excused from the table.

22 August 2016

Madelyn wanted soy sauce on her broccoli tonight with dinner. She ate about half of it and then wanted to save the rest for lunch tomorrow.

Mom: You could save that for a side for lunch tomorrow. We still have some pizza. Do you want pizza?
Madelyn: I want the broccoli on my pizza! Soy sauce broccoli pizza! Soy sauce broccoli pizza!

I gave her a weird look.

Madelyn: What? I want to be adventurous!

21 August 2016

While cleaning her room this afternoon, Madelyn decided that on top of her bed was the perfect place to put all of her stuffed animals.

Me, when I saw her bed: How are you going to sleep? You're going to need to move those.
Madelyn: I will.

Then, right before bed when the toys hadn't been put away:
Madelyn: Can I sleep in my sleeping bag?

20 August 2016

The girls and I went to Silver Diner for dinner tonight since Tony is away for work. As we got there, Madelyn realized that it was a Pokestop and said, "I want to spin Silver Diner!"

19 August 2016

I had seen earlier today that it was National Soft Ice Cream Day. After dinner we went to the park and then decided to treat the girls to some ice cream from Dairy Queen. While we were eating our ice cream:

Me: It's National Soft Serve Ice Cream Day today.
Madelyn: Is Diary Queen soft serve ice cream?

18 August 2016

I painted the girls' fingernails after we got home today.

Madelyn: What would happen if there wasn't gravity on earth?
Me: You would't be able to sit or run or do anything.
Madelyn: Our nail polish would never dry!
Me: You also wouldn't be able to breathe.

Madelyn gave me a startled look of disbelief. 

17 August 2016

Madelyn was singing in the car on the way home and laughing at herself. I don't think she knows that mash-ups exist. She sang, "Shut up and dance with me 'cause I can make your hands clap!"

16 August 2016

Before bed, Madelyn was telling me about something she wants to do next Wednesday that she wants me to help her with. As she was explaining it to me, she told me, "And, you can think about it for a while week as in half of this week and half of next week."

15 August 2016

After I picked them up, the girls and I went to Carter's to get some new school clothes and take advantage of sales. While we were there, Madelyn found a shirt she wanted that said, "BEST BIG SIS". 

Madelyn, in typical of course this is true fashion: Hey, Aly! Do you think I'm the best big sister?
Alyson, confused and not sure how to answer: Why?

14 August 2016

While the girls were eating breakfast this morning:

Madelyn: Are chickens mammals?
Me: No, they're birds.
Madelyn: Are mice mammals?
Me: Yes.
Madelyn: And dragons are pretend!
Tony: That they are.

13 August 2016

The bathrooms at The Green Turtle on the Boardwalk in Rehoboth are labeled with "cutsie" signs. The men's restroom has a squirrel with acorns and say "Nuts". The women's has a squirrel without acorns and says "No nuts". After Madelyn read them, she asked, "Why do they say nuts and no nuts?" Too soon!

11 August 2016

On the way to Madelyn's VBS program, we were listening to music in the car. "Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots came on. Madelyn exclaimed, "I was so busy with all the songs for VBS that I forgot about 'Heathens'!"

10 August 2016

The girls were getting ready to take a bath.

Me: Madelyn, you're going to start washing your own hair.
Madelyn, excited: Really?!?! Um, but I don't know how.

(She does, but just needs to practice.)

09 August 2016

The stir fry I fixed for dinner tonight included some Japanese eggplant in it. Madelyn has high standards for the foods she likes, "I like eggplant because it's purple, and I love it!"

08 August 2016

Madelyn is going to Vacation Bible School this week at Tony's aunt and uncle's church. On the way home, she was telling me about what they did today, "Every day we're going to watch a movie about someone who inspires hope in people. Today we watched about a girl who donated her hair for kids who can't grow hair. First, her hair was as long as Belle's. After she cut it, it was as short as after Rapunzel cut her hair! It was really short!"

07 August 2016

The girls went on a tour of DC today with Aunt Gina and Uncle Matt. After they got home:

Me: What did you see on your tour?
Madelyn: We saw the Washington Monument!

We talked some more about various things.

Me: Did you see anything else on your tour?
Madelyn: Um... the Washington Monument!

To be fair, it's one of the few things she recognizes in DC.

06 August 2016

While we had the Olympics on earlier, beach volleyball was on. Madelyn was watching. When one team scored a point, she yelled, "Touchdown!"

05 August 2016

Madelyn and I were playing Mario Kart Wii. We were doing the coin collecting battle on the same team. After we lost, she stated, "Maybe we should get more coins next time." Well, that is how you win.

04 August 2016

Madelyn was looking at the Recreation Guide and classes at the nature center.

Madelyn: I want to do this one! And can we do this one? Cool! It's raptors!
Me, while reading the description: Yeah, that's cool, but part of it is pretty gross.
Madelyn: Really? What?
Me: Do you know what an owl pellet is?
Madelyn: No....
Me: Do you know what owls eat?
Madelyn: No.
Me: They eat mice and other small animals. When they eat them, they pretty much swallow them whole, but they can't digest the animal's bones and fur. So, they throw up the bones and fur in a ball. Part of this class is to pull apart one of those balls and find all of the bones.
Madelyn: EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!!!!

But, she was pretty impressed that I've done that before.

03 August 2016

While the girls were playing, we heard Madelyn congratulate Alyson and tell her, "You got a first place medal for doing such a good job at doing the Chicken Dance!" I guess there are medals for everything.

02 August 2016

When I picked up the girls today, I asked Mom about our plans for them watching the girls for our anniversary. 

Madelyn: You could watch us for a week!
Mom: You would wear us out!
Madelyn: But we're here all week anyway.
Mom: But only during the day. We would still have you for the evenings and nights.
Madelyn: Well, you'll get some time along at night time after we're in bed!

01 August 2016

After looking through the Fall Recreation Guide, we were talking to the girls about what they wanted to take.

Me: Alyson, do you want to take karate or the class with lots of different sports.
Alyson: Karate! I can kick like this! [jumps and kicks into the air]
Tony: I think for Madelyn's sake Alyson probably shouldn't take karate.
Madelyn: Why not?
Me: Because she'll want to show off what she learns on you.
Madelyn, with a scared look on her face: Um, yeah, that would be bad for me!

31 July 2016

This morning while Tony was on his way back from his run:

Me: What do you want from Starbucks for breakfast? Daddy will get it on his way home.
Madelyn: Why aren't we eating here?
Me: We'll eat it here, but we don't have any eggs and only a little bit of milk. We need to go to the grocery store today.
Madelyn: We could have cereal. That only uses a little milk.
Me: There isn't that much milk. What? Do you not want anything from Starbucks for breakfast?
Madelyn: No, I do!

30 July 2016

While watching Snow White in the car on the way home (before the DVD player stopped working), Madelyn observed, "Wow! Snow White is really good at making a high pitched sound!"

29 July 2016

We had ice cream this afternoon after playing mini-golf. After dinner:
Madelyn: There are two cupcakes left. Who's going to have them?
Me: I don't know. [Complete lie because Tony and I already had discussed finishing them after the girls went to bed.]
Madelyn: Can I have one?
Me: What did you have this earlier?
Madelyn: Oh yeah, ice cream.
Me: Yup, so you've already had your sweets.
Madelyn: Are you going to have the cupcakes?
Me: We'll see.
Madelyn: But you already had sweets, too!

Touché, child, touché. And, we still had the cupcakes while packing to go home tomorrow. Can't pack them, obviously.

28 July 2016

While playing in the tide pools this morning, Tony was building a wall around a "lake", and Madelyn built a castle. My castle was where the dragon lived.

Madelyn: Daddy's wall is protecting the lake. The youngest knight in my castle has to get to the lake because the first person to go to the lake would be given a golden sword by the Lady in the Lake that would be able to defeat the dragon.
Tony: Is the sword Excalibur?
Madelyn: Huh?

27 July 2016

While we were walking back from a sea shell walk on the beach this evening, Madelyn was telling me all about her plans for tomorrow, "When we go to the pool, the first thing I'm going to do is swim from one end to the other without taking a breath twice. Then, I can jump off the side of the pool twelve times." At least she has goals.

26 July 2016

First

When I got back from running this morning, the girls came running to the condo door when I was unlocking it.

Me after coming in: Is Daddy still asleep?
Madelyn, vaguely pointing in the direction of our room: I don't know. He's still back there somewhere.

Second

We went to the beach this evening instead of this morning so that the girls could play in the tide pools. Both girls were exhausted when we got back and they were getting ready to take a shower. After taking her bathing suit off, Madelyn asked me, "I put my bathing suit in the [realizing she was about to misspeak but deciding to do it anyway to be funny] oven, right? [Laughing] I mean sink!"

25 July 2016

While walking to the beach, Tony and Madelyn saw a sign about not leaving litter on the beach.

Madelyn: If you throw a cat out the window, does it become kitty litter?
Tony, impressed: Did you think of that on your own?
Madelyn: Yes. Well, I remembered it from the birthday card Auntie Julie gave you.

24 July 2016

While walking on the beach in the tide pools while Tony was playing Pokemon Go:

Madelyn: Why is it called a Psyduck?
Tony: "Psy" is short for psychic and it's a duck.
Madelyn: What's "psychic"?
Tony: It means mind powers like it can read your mind and make you think something.
Madelyn: That wouldn't work on me! [stepping into a tide pool] This is a psyduck pond!

23 July 2016

First

While in the car on the way to Myrtle Beach:

Alyson: Woah! Wow! Look! That [radio antenna] is so tall! It almost goes up to the sky!
Madelyn: Is that a skyscraper?

Second

We were listening to music in the car on the way to Myrtle Beach today. Madelyn got very excited when "Immortals" by Fall Out Boy came on and said, "Yes1 It's the song Inmyrtles! I mean, Immortals!"